Chairman Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), Rana Arif Tauseef has said that Research and Development (R&D) support to textiles is not a solution for boosting exports and real solution is to provide level playing field to exporters vis-a-vis regional countries, cutting down cost of production and actual zero rating of exports.

He said that the Government has recently granted 5% R&D support to home textiles and 3% to dyed and printed fabrics. The R&D facility had been allowed to in-house processors only while the non-processors have been left out. This facility although intended to give a boost to exports was not really hitting the target as the facility would not generate investment, employment as well as value-addition in concrete manner.

The PTEA Chairman suggested that the amount to be given, as R&D facility should be diverted to reduce the cost of gas for export oriented industry enabling them to become competitive in the international market. He also demanded refund of protective duties paid by the exporters on polyester, dyes, chemicals and other items and reduced duty drawback without taking exporters into confidence.